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In a recess of the window sat young Matthew, whistling softly to himself as he stroked a hawk upon his gloved wrist, while his brother Godfrey stood at another window, looking out, with his arms upon the sill. The only person who noticed Perrote's entrance was Agatha, and she pulled a little face by way of relief to her feelings. Lady Foljambe worked on in silence.
"If my Lord Duke be now in England, should he not know that his mother is near her end?" "How am I to send to him, trow?" growled the custodian. "I wis not where he is." "A messenger could find out the Court, Sir," answered Perrote. "And it would comfort her last days if he came." "And if he refused?" Perrote's dark eyes flashed fire.
He would not have been quite so angry, if his own conscience had not been so provoking as to second every word of Perrote's reprimand.
"Some drunken brawl amongst the retainers, most like," said the Countess. "Come back to thy bed, maid; 'tis no concern of thine." Amphillis obeyed, and silence fell upon the house. The next thing of which she was conscious was Perrote's entrance in the morning. "What caused yon bruit in the night?" asked the Countess, as Amphillis was dressing her hair.
"What charge?" she asked, blankly. "You know not?" "I know nothing. Nobody would tell me anything." Mistress Perrote's set features softened a little. "Poor child!" she said. "You are young too young to be given a charge like this. You will need all your discretion, and more." Amphillis felt more puzzled than ever. "You may make a friend of Marabel, if you choose; but beware how you trust Agatha.
Supper was half over when Sir Godfrey bethought himself of Perrote's appeal and suggestion. "Pray you, holy Father," said he, "have you in your abbey at this season any of them called the poor priests, or know you where they may be found?" The Abbot's lips took such a setting as rather alarmed his host, who began to wish his question unasked.
And her time is very near." There were tears in Perrote's eyes as she went away, and Amphillis entirely sympathised with her. She was coming to realise the paramount importance to every human soul of that personal acquaintance with Jesus Christ, which is the one matter of consequence to all who have felt the power of an endless life.
The only exception to this rule lay with the Church. She was allowed to develop a brain in whom she would. Perrote's undressing on that evening was attended with numerous shakes of the head, and sudden ejaculations of mingled astonishment and horror. "And that Agatha!" was one of the ejaculations. Amphillis looked for enlightenment. "Why, she is full hand in glove with Ricarda.
"Ay," said Perrote, slowly and solemnly. "She shall come forth one day. But I misdoubt if it shall be ere the King come Himself for her." "The King! Shall his Grace come hither?" inquired Amphillis, with much interest. She thought of no king but Edward the Third. Perrote's eyes were uplifted towards the stars. She spoke as if she were answering them rather than Amphillis.
Mistress Perrote's calm even voice checked the flow of angry words. The lady in white rose to her feet. "What mean you, woman? King Edward of Windsor may be your master and hers, but he is not mine! I owe him no allegiance, nor I never sware any." "Your son hath sworn it, Dame." The eyes blazed out again.
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